Survival Tips for Your Next Family Road Trip

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and for many of us, that means a trip home to see the parents. We soon find ourselves faced with choices: fly or drive? Take the car, or take a bus?

For families with kids, road trips can be especially challenging. Here are a few tips for making your next family road trip pleasant and safe — and why chartering a bus with Metropolitan Shuttle might be just the ticket.

Be Prepared

A family road trip often means traveling with kids, and that may require some extra preparation on your part. Making sure favorite toys, blankets, and items of clothing are packed is a great first step, but make sure to pack snacks and drinks as well — no one, least of all your kids, likes to be hungry on the road when the next stop is miles away. Snacks should be portable and simple: string cheese or fruit might be optimal.

If you’re driving, you should always put safety first. Bring lots of water, charge your phone, and make sure basic equipment like jumper cables, first aid kit, and flashlight are in the vehicle and in good working condition. If you were renting a bus from Metropolitan Shuttle, you could rest easy knowing we are deeply committed to the safety of our passengers.

Stop Along the Way

Speaking of stops: frequent breaks along any road trip are not just good for you, they’re good for kids. Being cooped up in the car is challenging for anyone, but can be especially so for kids, who will appreciate a chance to burn off some energy. To make maximum use of your break time, try to find a local library, landmark, or sightseeing opportunity along the way, to help keep little ones entertained while you stretch your legs.

Road Trip Games

For many parents, a long road trip might mean strapping your kids in with their favorite DVD or a tablet PC and heading out. This is a worthy and time-honored strategy. But if you have the opportunity for a little more face time during your trip — for instance, if you book a charter bus for that Mother’s Day trip or another family holiday — there might be more memorable ways to keep your kids (and yourselves) entertained. You don’t have to fall back on another game of “I Spy” or a singalong — Pinterest has some great DIY and inexpensive games and activities families can do together while on the road.

Travel in Comfort

Most everyone has a story about that one cross-country road trip with family. Not all of them are happy. This summer, instead of cramming everyone into the car, consider renting a bus from Metropolitan Shuttle for that family reunion or family event. We offer vehicles for both small parties and large, from ten to sixty people. The more sophisticated buses come with onboard wi-fi, DVD players, and plenty of air-conditioned comfort for your entire family.

Interested in taking your next Mother’s Day (or other family trip) to the next level? Call us at 1-866-556-3545 or contact us today for a free quote.